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Podcasts – LOVE THEM. My love for podcasts first began while working my 9-to-5 corporate accounting job. What better way to keep your mind active while sitting at a desk all day? Nowadays I listen to them while driving, working from home, or just when needing some inspiration.

A non-boring and totally relatable finance podcast. The two hosts, Andrew and Thomas, open a beer each episode and talk money in an easy-to-understand way. They cover everything from rental income, repaying debt, and the broke-ass bride wedding guide.

Proclaimed human guinea pig. Tim Ferriss interviews experts in all industries and facets of life with the purpose of finding out their best tips, tricks, and stories. His podcast will absolutely captivate you.

A fairly recent to the scene podcast that I have been obsessed with since day one. An NPR produced show that delves into the beginnings of some of the most well-known businesses. Find out the story behind the company and be inspired.

Shout out to all the girl bosses around the world – it’s all about the ladies on this podcast. Sophia Amoruso, the girlboss behind Nasty Gal, interviews and celebrates successful business women in all industries.

When I need a good laugh, I listen to this podcast. Anna Faris is awesome. Anna and her co-host Sim invite celebrities to come hang out and call strangers on the phone to help them with their relationship problems.

Notable Episodes: They’re all good! I most recently listened to Isla Fisher’s episodes.

What are a few of your favorite podcasts right now?

-Gigi

(Photo Credit: LiveNation)

The places to stuff your face in Barcelona are endless. There’s brunch, tapas, cafes, desserts, bakeries, the list goes on and on. Though I can’t fit it all on one list, I can provide you with some of my favorites from the past month. Get ready, your stomachs about to growl in 3, 2, 1…

Brunch & Cake

Calling all foodies!! Snap a picture of anything on the menu at Brunch & Cake and your followers will be suffering from a severe case of food envy. The presentation of meals here is out of this world. I’m talking pink poached eggs, acai bowls served in pineapples, cheesecake banana french toast, and guacamole in a syringe… but with a slogan like, “In Grandmothers We Trust” would you really expect anything less? Major Key: order the ricotta pancakes -they seem to be a fan favorite on yelp. & Don’t forget to give us a shout out when your Instagram picture gets more likes than your selfie. #blessed.

My order: Avocado Toast w/ Quinoa/Feta/Poached Egg.

Mama’s Cafe

Mama’s Cafe is tucked away in trendy and artistic neighborhood of Gracia. Enjoy typical cafe style food like omelettes, sandwiches, and salads – plus they serve brunch all day long! The food is made with fresh organic ingredients and a wide variety of vegetarian options are available as well. However, the true magic of Mama’s is situated in the rear of the cafe where a quaint ,well shaded, terrace with terracotta tiles and fairy lights lies. It’s a space that feels effortlessly inviting and relaxing without trying to hard… and something about sitting on a terrace just kinda makes you feel cool – right? The interior is cozy as well with sofas, dimmed lights, and magazine covered coffee tables making it feel as though you could spend hours there without feeling rushed. So grab a book or a friend to chat with and head on over to Mama’s!

Taverna El Glop

El Glop, El Glop, El Glop… If there is one place you go on this list please make it El Glop. You know that little restaurant down that street that you went to with your family growing up? Well this is that place – but better. The walls are full of framed photographs signed by athletes, actors, and politicians that frequent the restaurant. Not to mention the traditional Catalan food that will knock you off your feet. However, the heart of this restaurant lies in the wait staff. The manager will greet you at the door and the chef will start a conversation with you while he cooks. We’ve become quite close to some of the waiters who help us practice our Spanish and offer us free shots and cookies. It’s safe to say that we’ve been here more than a few times.

La Bicicleta

If you are looking for yummy food on college friendly budget then add “La Bicicleta” to your Yelp bookmarks – ASAP! I ordered a blue cheese + mushroom panini and anchovie stuffed olives for just 5 euros. They project movies on the wall and play classic rock music all day long. So watch “Back to the Future,” jam out Jimi Hendrix, and indulge in some cheap delicious food. MIC DROP

Doner Kebabs

Doner Kebab is NOT the name of a restaurant, it’s the name of delicious middle eastern sandwhich with meat, veggies, and tzatziki sauce in pita. They are super cheap (3 euro), very filling, and you can find them in an array of restaurants around the city. They have become my roommate and I’s go-to lunch during breaks between classes. I think i’ll miss these the most when I leave.

This place is not exclusively just a brewery. It is a historic (and slightly creepy) elementary school turned brewery, bar, hotel, theater, and restaurant. Make sure to visit the detention room cigar bar.

As week two draws to a close I still find myself making little mental notes as I walk down the street and pass things that catch my eye. My wandering is usually accompanied by sporadic thoughts like, “Make sure I come back to try this cafe,” and “Oh, this street is really picturesque, I really should come back with my camera.” The bucket list that should be shrinking has only grown in length, but luckily I have a few months to check it off. Plus, the adventures (and stories) are usually better when you start off with one plan and end up in a completely different one. So, here are 5 Mini Adventures you can take if you ever find yourself in Barcelona:

1.) The Arc de Triomf & Parc de la Ciutadella:

My roommate and I ventured out on a rainy (rain in Barcelona? – gasp!) Sunday afternoon with intentions of checking out Parc de la Ciutadella. However, on our way there we were greeted by the massive and beautiful Arc de Triomf that acts like a doorway to a wide paved street lined with palm trees and street performers making gigantic rainbow bubbles that float off into the sky. If the fact that I just said “gigantic rainbow bubbles floating off into the sky” hasn’t sold you on going already, then keep walking until you hit the entrance of Parc de la Ciutadella. It’s the perfect place to go when your craving the nature and greenery that the city lacks. Buy some bocadillos (sandwiches) and enjoy lunch in the grass, or rent a small paddle boat and row down the lake all the whilst your surrounded by swans and ducks. After wandering through the parc, we were set on going to the Picasso Museum, since entrance is free on sundays from 2-8pm. But the line was very long, and we were very hungry, so we made a vow to come back… and then we booked it to the nearest cafe for churros con chocolate and lattes!

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2.) FC Barcelona Football Game:

You absolutely cannot go to Barcelona without witnessing an FC Barcelona football game at the world famous stadium Camp Nou. The streets are electric the day of a game as fans are repping Barca gear. My professor even let us out early because it was game day, and for the short amount of time he kept us in class I could here people chanting outside the whole time. My roommates and I snagged tickets for just 17 euros and met up with a group of 12 friends to enjoy the game together – I even met a girl from Bolivia who was just ending her time abroad in Barcelona and she gave me some travel tips. The stadium was packed and it was obvious that everybody was taking advantage of the cheap tickets. To get in the spirit I bought my very own FC Barca scarf. You can find these in most of the touristy spots around the city like Las Ramblas but I found mine in the metro station of all places. The guy was asking 20 euro – and even though I was nervous, I tried to heckle him down to a cheaper price – and it worked! I got the scarf for just 10 euro which is a really good price compared to most. My roommate got a scarf and a Messi Jersey for 40 euro. If you have time head to a bar beforehand, like we did, so you don’t have to pay for overpriced drinks at the game. Oh and one more thing, rest your voice because you will be screaming “GOOOOAAL!!!” the entire night. If you can’t make it to a game, at least head to a bar and cheer on the team with some locals, this is what I’ll be doing on the day of the big game (Madrid vs. Barcelona) when tickets are extremely pricey. This ended up being one of my favorite nights thus far, so make sure to put it at the top of your bucket list.

3.) Montjuic & Museums

Montjuic is a hilltop in Barcelona that offers breathtaking views of the harbor and is home to the stunning Palau Nacional. In 1929 Barcelona hosted the World International Exhibition, and so they built the Palau Nacional for the sole purpose of impressing visitors. After the exhibition Barcelona intended to tear the building down, but its beauty captured the heart of the people and so they petitioned to keep it –today it serves as home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia. On Saturday Afternoons admission to the museum is free after 3:00pm, and even if you aren’t an art gallery type of person, the elaborate ceilings and white sculptures will offer you a new appreciation. The best part of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, however, is the terrace at the very top! The views are jaw dropping. If you make it up to the terrace by 5:30 you’ll be lucky enough to witness the sun set over the city. This was the best view of Barcelona I have seen yet. As you head down the hill to leave you will run straight into the Magic Fountain, make sure you stay to catch the show that combines water, lights, and music. After the show, head into the city for some tapas!

4.) The #WomensMarch

If you haven’t heard about the Woman’s March that took place all over the world on January 21st… have you been living under a rock? If so, its okay because I was living under a rock too – and by rock I mean my apartment’s broken Wifi. For me, the women’s march happened accidentally. I got off of the metro on my way to meet up with some friends for lunch and found myself in the center of a sea of posters and a massive crowd of courageous women. I am so happy that I was asked to lunch that day, and that the metro stop happened to be the meeting place for the march. I am so happy that I was able to take videos and pictures of all the beautiful women fighting for what they believe in. The best part of the whole thing was that I was able to feel the energy that was buzzing through the streets, and the hope and the happiness of a more united and equal future for females. It was a day I will never forget, and one that will be shared in history books for years to come. In general, Barcelona is a very politically active city, meaning peaceful marches happen quite often, if you have the chance to get involved in something you are passionate about… go for it!

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5.) Park Güell & The Sagrada Familia

If you’re a fan of architecture, Antoni Gaudí’s work will not disappoint. I’m talking about the infamous Park Güell and Sagrada Familia. These are two of the most popular landmarks in Barcelona, and you can’t leave without checking at least one of them out. Park Güell offers whimsical and winding mosaic tiled benches, gingerbread-esque looking Gaudi houses, and colorful lizards sprinkled throughout the park. It’s a great spot for views of Barcelona and picture taking.Tickets will put you back 8 euro, but if you order online beforehand you can knock off a euro and see the landmark for just 7, plus you get to skip the ticket line. Park Güell resides in the same beautiful barrio as my apartment – Gracia. Make sure to check out the graffiti and plazas while you’re here. The Sagrada Familia is even more spectacular, in my opinion. It is a gorgeous church that has been under construction since 1882 – and it is still not finished! The projected finish date is now 2026. You can enjoy its beauty from the outside, or you can buy a ticket to a guided tour (13 euros) which I would definitely recommend. The inside is even more amazing then the outside with stained glass windows that create a kaleidoscope effect when the sun shines through. Words cannot explain, so go make sure to check it out for yourself when you come.

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Some other “not-so-adventerous- but-really-funny” things that happened to me this week: I fell down some stairs, I accidentally dyed the bath towels in my apartment blue while doing laundry, and I spent 8 euro on a small jar of peanut butter because I just really needed some.

One of the first decisions you have to make when planning a wedding is the venue. This sets the tone for the date, the dress, the style, and pretty much everything else that’s to come. It’s also probably THE hardest decision (besides the dress, maybe) that you will have to jump right in and make.

Let me just say – we had a really difficult time finding the right venue for us. We wanted somewhere non-traditional and somewhere we could have full control over food/drinks. Unfortunately a lot of under the radar venues aren’t listed on any of the main wedding webtes! So here’s a list of non-traditional, reasonably priced wedding venues in Southern California.

This was one of the first venues I was really drawn to when beginning my search. It is a brewery that built an event space in one of the neighboring units and it is gorgeous! If you like wood paneled walls, succulents, and beer this could be a serious contender.

This venue is unique in that it is a non-profit, renewable urban farm that donates 100% of plants, produce, and fish grown to surrounding low income families. They recently started holding events to fund their efforts, and we are glad they did! Between the raised planters and bohemian vibe, it is truly unlike other wedding venues.

This is another brewery venue located in downtown San Diego. It is a two-story loft with brick and industrial accents. It also boasts a pretty cool view of the city skyline. The event space is connected to the main brewery onsite and gives you 12 taps to serve a variety of their brewed beers on the day.

This one is for the rustic brides! Owl Creek Farms is a family-owned pomegranate farm and they have various locations on their property for hosting ceremony and reception, with one of the most popular being a gorgeous old oak tree. They also offer all different kinds of packages that allow you to personalize your wedding.

A nice choice for someone looking to get married outside, but not necessarily at a winery or garden. The Clarke Estate also features a very private and shady courtyard that can host the ceremony or a cocktail party. I will say the the booking process seems to be outdated and must be done one year in advance – so not a choice for short engagements.

These were some of my favorite venues that I found while searching and wish they would have been easier to find! But I suppose that is what makes them under the radar after all!

I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, got hired as a corporate accountant working for a CFO of a large company, got engaged, and then proceeded to quit the above mentioned job in a crayon costume on Halloween. Yes – a Crayola crayon costume.

There I was in an Amazon.com ordered black crayon costume (pointy hat and all) telling the CFO who had just hired me six months before that I would be putting in my notice. Sitcom status anybody?!?

I quit to begin my own business. I also quit the expectation of a 10-hour work day norm. And this is how InLine Accounting officially started. My current “day job” helping small businesses and entrepreneurs with their bookkeeping needs in a modern and efficient way. I had a certain needed skill set (nobody likes accounting!) and an entrepreneurial passion that had been floating around in my head for the few months prior to leaving the corporate gig.

Now I’m not exactly sure how the workforce will evolve over the next decade, but I do know the meaning of ‘going to work’ is evolving as things naturally do. Productivity and idea generation should be the goal – not how many hours of overtime were spent at the office. What do you guys think?